Interlinking containers

ABSTRACT

A compact interlinking container module and an interlinking container module assembly have at least two interlinking containers that have reservoirs arranged to hold articles, such as liquid, solid and gas toiletries. Each interlinking container module has a hollow body that is configured with an opposing top portion, an opposing bottom portion, an opposing front portion, an opposing back portion, and two opposing side walls, arranged as a hollow reservoir, and configured to hold and dispense liquid, solid and/or gas contents. A container male member and female element form a close frictional fit thereby connecting the container modules. The interlinking container assembly is small enough to fit into a user&#39;s shirt or pant pocket and does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials when there is contact between the container assembly and materials.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present Patent Application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/048,469 filed Sep. 10, 2014, which is assigned to the assignee hereof and filed by the inventors hereof and which is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present subject matter relates to containers or dispensers, particularly to interlinking two or more containers.

2. Background

As will be discussed immediately below, no prior art discloses compact and portable interlinking containers that are small enough to fit into a user's pocket, such as a shirt or pant pocket. Furthermore, the prior art does not disclose such interlinking containers configured to hold liquid, solid and/or gas contents, depending on the user's preference.

Early interlinking containers, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,194,426, connect containers to form a compact container arrangement. Similarly, many containers in the market today, as disclosed in WO 2010/049666, are compact and portable but are only configured to hold and dispense liquids. Cost effectiveness and non-sharp edges are considered significant drawbacks of containers disclosed by the prior art.

SUMMARY

The non-limiting embodiments described herein disclose an interlinking container and an interlinking container assembly having at least two compact containers. Each interlinking container module has a hollow body that is configured with an opposing top portion, an opposing bottom portion, an opposing front portion, an opposing back portion, and two opposing side walls, arranged as a hollow reservoir, and configured to hold and dispense liquid, solid and/or gas contents. Further, each hollow body's front and back portions are arranged with an external profile that has a rectangular shape.

A male member is configured to have an opposing top portion, an opposing bottom portion, and two opposing sides, and the male member is arranged to extend from an external surface of the container first opposing side wall. The male member opposing top and bottom portions are configured at right angles to the container opposing top and bottom portions, and the male member opposing top and bottom portions are indented from the container opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls. Additionally, the male member is arranged with an indented shelf formed thereon.

A female element is arranged on the container side wall that opposes the container side wall of which the male member is arranged, wherein said female element opposing top portion, opposing bottom portion, and opposing sides are each configured at right angles to the container opposing top and bottom portions, and the female element opposing top and bottom portions and opposing sides form cavities within the container opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls, respectively. The female element is arranged with a raised indent and configured to frictionally receive the male member thereby engaging the indented shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly in a connected position.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly with one disconnected container.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly in a connected position.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting a front perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly in a connected position.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram depicting a front view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly in a connected position.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram depicting a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container module first side wall.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram depicting a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container module second side wall.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram depicting a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram depicting a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly.

FIGS. 10A-10C are schematic diagrams depicting a configuration for a multi-pin exterior male tenon connector or rectangular tongue member and female mortise receiver element or cavity of an exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly. FIG. 10A depicts a female or receiver end. FIG. 10B is a side view. FIG. 10C depicts a male end.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are schematic diagrams depicting a male hook connector element and female snap receiver element of an exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly. FIG. 11A shows the male hook element. FIG. 11B shows the female snap receiver element.

FIGS. 12A-12C are schematic diagrams depicting a linking arrangement using semi-circular protruding male connector element and semi-circular female slot receiver element of an exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly. FIG. 12A is a side view, FIG. 12B is a top view, and FIG. 12C is a top view showing details of a protrusion and the semi-circular slot receiver.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the interlinking container assembly will be apparent from the following description of a particular embodiment, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While specific exemplary embodiments are discussed, it should be understood that this is done for illustrative purposes only. A person skilled in the relevant art will recognize that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the scope of the subject matter as defined by the claims.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly 101 in a connected position. Shown are container modules 111-114 arranged so that adjacent ones of container modules together. Thus 111 and 112 are connected to each other, 112 and 113 are connected to each other, and 113 and 114 are connected to each other, but non-adjacent container modules, such as 111 and 113, are only indirectly connected (in the case of container modules 111 and 113, through container module 112).

Individual interlinking container modules 111-114 are easily connected and disconnected, thereby forming interlinking container assembly 101, as shown in FIG. 1, by connecting interlinking container modules of the same dimension together. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting the interlinking container modules of FIG. 1, with one disconnected container module. In this example, container modules 111, 112 and 113 are connected, but container module 114 is separate.

Each container module 111-114 is configured as a hollow reservoir 121, 122, 123, 124 and a cap portion 131, 132, 133 and 134. Each interlinking container module 111-114 is arranged to have opposing top and bottom portions, opposing front and back portions, and opposing side walls. Opposing portions are spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another. Additionally, an external profile of the container module front and back portions are substantially square and/or rectangular.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container module assembly container module 114 disconnected. The configuration of container modules 111-114 is that they can be disconnected, and can be connected in any adjacent relationship.

FIGS. 3-9 are schematic diagrams depicting construction features of container modules 111-114. FIG. 3 depicts a rear view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly 101 in a connected position. FIGS. 4 and 5 are front views of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly 101 in a connected position, in which FIG. 4 depicts a front oblique view and FIG. 5 depicts a front (non-oblique) view. FIG. 6 depicts a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container module first side wall 611. FIG. 7 depicts a side view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container module second side wall 711. FIG. 8 depicts a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly 101. FIG. 9 depicts a top view of the exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly 101.

Referring to FIG. 4, as well as FIGS. 1-9 generally, each container module 111-114 has first and second container side walls 431, 432. First container module side wall 431 is configured to have at least one exterior male tenon connector or rectangular tongue member 435. Second container module side wall 432 has at least one female mortise receiver element or cavity 436. Second container module side wall 432 is also shown in FIG. 2. Non-limiting examples of these male connectors or members include a hook, clasp, engagement grove, protrusion, tab or tenon. Second container module second side wall 432 is located opposite first container module side wall 431 and is configured to connect with a first container module first side wall connector element 435 of an adjacent container module via female mortise receiver element or cavity 436. Non-limiting examples of these female elements or cavities include a snap, mortise, hole or slot.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5 show a male tenon connector or rectangular tongue member 435 arranged in a vertical direction substantially along the height of one of the container module opposing side wall 431, thereby extending from an external surface of one opposing container module side wall 431. Referring to FIG. 6, male tenon connector or tongue member 435 contains top and bottom portions 651, 652 and opposing sides 653, 654 that are each formed at right angles to and indented from the container module 111-114 opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls, respectively. Further, top and bottom portions 651, 652 of male connector or member 435 are arranged with an indented shelf formed thereon. Male connector member 435 is further configured to be received by a female mortise receiver element or cavity 436 of an adjacent interlocking container module 111-114.

Female element or cavity 436 is arranged in a vertical direction substantially along the height of the side wall opposing the side wall of which male connector or member 435 is arranged. Female mortise receiver element or cavity 436 contains top and bottom portions 751, 752 and opposing sides 753, 754 that are each formed at right angles to, and form cavities within, the container module opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls, respectively. Further, female element or cavity top and bottom portions 751, 752 are arranged with a raised indent 761 configured to frictionally receive the male connector or member 435 of an adjacent interlocking container module 111-114 by engaging the indented shelve of the male connector or member 435.

Male connector or member 435 and female receiver element or cavity 436 form a close frictional tongue and groove fit, thereby restricting movement of each interlinking container module 111-114 in a vertical direction and a horizontal and/or cross-horizontal direction. Furthermore, a detent 761 and indent 762 arrangement (FIGS. 1, 2 and 7) of male connector or member (FIG. 7, 761) and female receiver element or cavity (FIGS. 1 and 2, 762), respectively, provides additional strength to ensure that each container module 111-114 withstands forces applied in the horizontal and/or cross-horizontal direction. By way of non-limiting example, detent 761 and indent 762 can be at least one semi-circular protrusion that is received by at least one male element or recessed female slot element.

Male connector or member 435 and female receiver element or cavity 436 provide an arrangement that is unique by using a durable and resilient coupling means with the ability to withstand forces that may be subjected to the container module or assembly 101 in a user's pocket, purse, and other carriers. The container module does not use sharp hooks, dovetails, T-shaped tongues, and other projections that impede achieving a smooth container module assembly 101 by snagging, catching, grazing, and otherwise rubbing against a user or carrier in any uncomfortable or displeasing manner.

Further, a reliable connection of male connector or member 435 and female receiver element or cavity 436 ensures that the interlinking container assembly 101 remains connected and maintains its structural integrity without unintentionally becoming disconnected when subjected to external forces, such as, dropping the container assembly 101 or hitting the container assembly 101 against hard objects. This reliable connection also ensures that the interlinking container modules 111-114 are easily disconnected, so as to prevent the user from exerting extraneous force to pull each container module 111-114 apart from the container assembly.

FIGS. 10A-10C are schematic diagrams depicting a configuration of a container module 1001 for a multi-pin exterior male tenon connector or rectangular tongue member and female mortise receiver element or cavity of an exemplary embodiment of the interlinking container assembly. FIG. 10A depicts a female or receiver end 1011. FIG. 10B is a side view. FIG. 10C depicts a male end 1012. Female receiving sockets 1021, 1022 receive corresponding male receiving sockets 1024, 1025.

As shown in FIG. 10, a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of the male connector element contains at least one tenon that is received by at least one recessed female mortise element. As with the example of FIGS. 1-9 a detent arrangement can be used to secure multiple container modules 1001 together.

FIGS. 11A and 11B shows another non-limiting exemplary embodiment of a container module 1101, having male connector element 1111 and female receiver element 1112. As shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, the male connector element can be at least one hook that is received by at least one recessed female snap element. As with the example of FIGS. 1-9 a detent arrangement can be used to secure multiple container modules 1101 together.

FIGS. 12A-12C are schematic diagrams of container modules depicting an exemplary embodiment a linking arrangement using side-facing flanges 1211. Side facing flanges 1211 provide an interlinking container assembly. FIG. 12A is a side view, FIG. 12B is a top view, and FIG. 12C is a top view showing details of a protrusion and a semi-circular slot receiver.

FIG. 12C also show a detent arrangement using semi-circular protruding male connector element 1231 and semi-circular female slot receiver element 1232. Connector elements 1231, 1231 function as detents in the manner of detents 761, 762 used in the configuration of FIGS. 1-9.

The assembly provides a reliable connection of the connection of the container module top or bottom wall to another adjacent container module top or bottom wall, and ensures that the interlinking container assembly remains connected and maintains its structural integrity without unintentionally becoming disconnected when subjected to external forces.

Regardless of the male to female connection element type, the container modules form a flush connection. Further, the hollow space or cavity defined by or around the female portion of the container module is preferably rectangular and runs in a vertical direction along nearly the entire height of the container module. Likewise, the protrusion or outwardly extending element defined by or around the male portion of the container module is preferably rectangular and runs in a vertical direction along nearly the entire height of the container module.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 10-12, a plurality of male connector and female receiver elements may be arranged along the sides of the interlinking container modules, thereby providing additional support to ensure that the interlinking container assembly is not unintentionally disconnected. As shown in FIG. 12, male detent 1231 can also be arranged along the top or bottom wall of the interlinking container module 1201, and female slot-receiver element 1232 can be arranged along the adjacent interlinking container module corresponding top or bottom wall.

After connecting a plurality of the interlinking container modules together, the container module assembly formed is compact, so as to result in the interlinking container module assembly having approximately the same length and width as a credit card (generally, approximately 85.60 mm×53.98 mm) and the thickness of a number two pencil (generally, approximately 7 mm) It is readily apparent that these sizes are only for non-limiting illustrative purposes, and that other sizes fall within the scope of the present subject matter. As such, the interlinking container assembly can easily fit into the user's shirt or pant pocket. As shown in the FIG. 2, the interlinking container modules, whether or not arranged in an interlinking assembly, fit into a small pocket. The convenience of a small interlinking container assembly that maintains structural integrity allows the user to have access to his/her favorite products when they are most desired. These products include a non-limiting variety of replaceable toiletry essentials, such as mouthwash, gum, cologne, and deodorant. Furthermore, the interlinking container assembly does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials when there is contact between the container assembly and materials. As shown in FIG. 1, the interlinking container assembly does not contain any sharp protruding edges that will tear material of the user's pocket or scratch the user's person.

As shown in the figures, each container module has four adjacent walls that form a hollow reservoir that is arranged to hold liquid, solid and/or gas. Non-limiting examples of the reservoir's liquid, solid and/or gas contents can include hand sanitizer, breath mints and/or hair spray, respectively. Each container reservoir is also arranged to dispense its contents via a dispensing outlet. As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5, the dispensing outlet may be in the non-limiting form of a nozzle or cap, thereby providing a streamlined and neat means for accessing the contents located within each container reservoir. FIGS. 1-2 show an interlinking container assembly with two nozzle dispensing outlets arranged at the left of the container assembly and two capped outlets arranged at the right of the container assembly. It is noted that each interlinking container module is interchangeable, thereby providing a plurality of options for arranging container modules with different dispensing outlets.

CONCLUSION

It will be understood that many additional changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangement of parts, which have been herein described and illustrated to explain the nature of the subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interlinking container module comprising: a hollow body configured with opposing top and bottom portions, opposing front and back portions, and first and second opposing side walls, arranged as a reservoir, the hollow body configured to hold and dispense liquid, solid and/or gas contents, wherein the hollow body opposing front and back portions are arranged with an external profile having a rectangular shape; a male member is configured with an opposing top portion, an opposing bottom portion, and opposing sides and arranged to extend from an external surface of the first opposing side wall, the male member opposing top and bottom portions and the male member opposing sides each configured at right angles to the opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls, respectively, and indented from the opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls, respectively; the male member arranged with an indented shelf formed thereon; a female element arranged on the second opposing side wall and having top and bottom portions and opposing sides, the female element top and bottom portions and opposing sides each configured at right angles to the container module and forming cavities within the container module opposing top and bottom portions and opposing side walls, respectively; and one of the male and female elements arranged with a detent and configured to frictionally receive an adjacent container module by engaging with the detent, wherein the male and female members have a configuration to provide an interlocking between adjacent container modules allowing separation of the adjacent container module by pulling the adjacent container modules apart.
 2. The interlinking container module of claim 1, wherein the male member and female element having a configuration to restrict movement in vertical and horizontal directions.
 3. The interlinking container module of claim 1, wherein the container module does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials contacting any portion of the container assembly.
 4. The interlinking container module of claim 1, wherein plural container modules forms an assembly having a configuration to fit into a small pocket.
 5. The interlinking container module of claim 1, wherein: plural container modules form an assembly having a configuration to fit into a small pocket that does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials contacting any portion of the container assembly.
 6. The interlinking container module of claim 1, further comprising: the male connector configured as a hook, clasp, engagement groove, protrusion, tab, and/or tenon; and the female receiver configured as a snap, mortise, hole or slot, cooperating with the configuration of the male connecter, thereby ensuring the first and second sidewalls securely connect and maintain structural integrity when subjected to external forces.
 7. The interlinking container module of claim 1, further comprising: plural container modules form an assembly having a configuration to fit into a small pocket, and does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials contacting any portion of the container assembly; the male connector configured as a hook, clasp, engagement groove, protrusion, tab, and/or tenon; and the female receiver configured as a snap, mortise, hole or slot, cooperating with the configuration of the male connecter, thereby ensuring the first and second sidewalls securely connect and maintain structural integrity when subjected to external forces.
 8. The interlinking container module of claim 1, wherein the container module top or bottom wall has at least one exterior female receiver element arranged to receive the at least one male connector element arranged along an adjacent compact container module's corresponding top or bottom wall.
 9. The interlinking container module of claim 1, wherein the detent comprises a raised indent which mates with a receiving ridge or cavity in an adjacent container module.
 10. An interlinking container assembly comprising: at least two compact container modules, each of said container modules having four adjacent walls, thereby forming a hollow container reservoir therein; each container reservoir configured to hold and dispense liquid, solid and/or gas contents; each container module having a first side wall, the first side wall configured to have at least one exterior connector element; each container module having a second side wall opposite the first side wall, said second side wall configured to have at least one exterior female receiver element arranged to receive the at least one male connector element of an adjacent compact container module; and a dispensing outlet arranged at a section of each container module to dispense each of the solid, liquid or gas contents from each container reservoir wherein the male and female members have a configuration to provide an interlocking between adjacent container modules allowing separation of the adjacent container module by pulling the adjacent container modules apart.
 11. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, wherein the male member and female element having a configuration to restrict movement in vertical and horizontal directions.
 12. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, wherein the container module does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials contacting any portion of the container assembly.
 13. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, wherein plural container modules forms an assembly having a configuration to fit into a small pocket.
 14. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, wherein: the assembly having a configuration to fit into a small pocket that does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials contacting any portion of the container assembly.
 15. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, further comprising: the male connector configured as a hook, clasp, engagement groove, protrusion, tab, and/or tenon; and the female receiver configured as a snap, mortise, hole or slot, cooperating with the configuration of the male connecter, thereby ensuring the first and second sidewalls securely connect and maintain structural integrity when subjected to external forces.
 16. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, further comprising: the assembly having a configuration to fit into a small pocket, and does not contain any sharp edges or edges that catch on materials contacting any portion of the container assembly; the male connector configured as a hook, clasp, engagement groove, protrusion, tab, and/or tenon; and the female receiver configured as a snap, mortise, hole or slot, cooperating with the configuration of the male connecter, thereby ensuring the first and second sidewalls securely connect and maintain structural integrity when subjected to external forces.
 17. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, wherein the container module top or bottom wall has at least one exterior female receiver element arranged to receive the at least one male connector element arranged along an adjacent compact container module's corresponding top or bottom wall.
 18. The interlinking container assembly of claim 10, wherein the detent comprises a raised indent which mates with a receiving ridge or cavity in an adjacent container module. 